Wire-stretcher



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Shet 1.

J. 0. DE WITT.

WIRE STRETGHBR. No. 349,985. Patented Sept. 28, 1886.

(No Model.) Sheets-Sheet 2. J. 0. DE WITT.

WIRE STRBTGHER. No. 349,985. Patented Sept. 28, 1886.

UNITE rarns JOHN C. DEWVITT; OF OVVENSBOROUGH, KENTUCKY.

WlRE-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 349,985, dated September 28, 1886.

Application filed June 17. I886. Serial No. 205,467.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN G. DEWITT, of Owensborough, Daviess county, Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Improvement in \Vire-Stretchers, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a cheap, simple, durable, and efficient device for stretching fence-wires and holding them taut.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wire -stretcher embodying my invention, the same being shown as stretching a wire and locked against back motion. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the parts of said wire-stretcher detached. Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the locking device. Fig. 4 is an end view of a modification of my wire-stretcher.

A may represent a portion of a fence-post. B is a frame or bracket rigidly secured to the post A, and having projecting lugs b b at its sides. In the lugs b and b, respectively, are slots 12 and b, of which each is open at its outer end and semicircular. at its inner end, so as to serve as a journal-bearing for the shaft 0 of the Windlass or roller 0. Said shaft having been inserted in the slots 1) and b, it is retained therein by a block, 28, which is pushed alongside of the shaft into the outer part of the slot 1), and is held from coming out by its beveled or dovetailed endsd engaging in correspondinglyshaped grooves I) in the slot-walls. The face of the block which bears against the shaft 0 is semicircular, so as in conjunction with the back of the slot 1) to form a complete circular journal-bearing for the said shaft. The end of the fence-wire F is passed through a hole, a, in the post A and fastened to the Windlass O. The shaft 0 is squared, as at c, at one or both ends to receive a wrench" or crank, which, being turned, operates to wind the wire onto the roller 0. The wire having by this means been stretched to the desired extent, the Windlass G is detained from unwinding or turning back by inserting the shank e of a nail or headed pin, E, of any kind into an orifice, b", in the lug b, the head e of the nail or pin being made to (No model.)

engage in one or other of a number of indentations, c, in the shaft 0, so as to lock said shaft.

For the headed pin E, I prefer to use a common rivet of proper shape and size. The shank of said headed pin is protected from moisture by being inclosed within the lug b, and even if it wears out it is readily and cheaply replaced. It will be seen that when the wire is drawn taut, the pin-head e serving as'a fulcrum, the tension of the wire holds the shaft 0 against the bearing-block D, which is thereby held firmly to its bearings against the lug b, and prevented from accidental displacement. The wedge-formed bearing-block D permits easy insertion and removal of the Windlass-shaft, while allowing of long and closely-fitting bearings for the same. The form shown in Fig. 4 is a modification of the bearing-block, which is also adapted to the locking mechanism I have devised. Here the shaft 0 is merely journaled in an orifice, b, in the lug I), said orifice being made oblong to facilitate the insertion of the shaft. I however prefer the form shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.

I claim as new and of my invention 1. In a wire-stretcher, the combination of bracket B, having lugs 11 I), provided with journal-bearings b b, and orifice 1)", windlassshaft c, journaled in said bearings b b, and having indentations e, and a headed pin, E, adapted to engage by its shank in the orifice b", and by its head in the indentations c, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a wire-stretcher, the combination of bracket B, having lugs b I), provided with open slots 1) b, of which slot 1) has in its walls dovetailed grooves b shaft 0, occupying said slots b b, and wedge-formed block D, closing the slot b and bearing against the shaft 0, and having beveled ends d occupying the grooves b substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

J N O. O. DEWITT.

Attest:

O. F. MCOARRALL, JOHN M. Nnvrr'r. 

